In February 2025, an Erasmus+ training program titled “The Art of Dialogue as a Tool for Youth Workers” took place in Yerevan, Armenia. The event brought together youth workers from across Europe to learn practical skills in dialogue facilitation, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. The program focused on regions where conflict or division affects communities, and it helped youth workers discover new ways to support young people through storytelling, empathy, and cultural exchange. This training was especially important for a youth worker from Italy representing the NGO Terra Dulcis, who returned home with a new perspective and a strong desire to bring change.
In Italy, social challenges related to division and misunderstanding were already present before the training. Although the country is peaceful, many communities still experience hidden forms of conflict. Youth in cities and rural areas often live separate lives. Migrant families and local residents sometimes face communication gaps and trust issues. The political climate has also grown tense, with strong opinions dividing people on topics like immigration, education, and identity. In this atmosphere, young people can feel confused, left out, or unsure of their place in society. For youth workers like the one from Terra Dulcis, the need for tools to promote peace and unity through communication became very clear.
During the training in Yerevan, the youth worker experienced several powerful moments that changed their understanding of youth work. One of the most impactful activities was practicing dialogue circles. In these circles, participants sat together and took turns speaking from personal experience while others listened without interruption. This experience showed the importance of active listening and helped participants feel truly heard. For the youth worker from Italy, this was a reminder that young people also need safe spaces where they can speak openly, be respected, and share their stories.
Another highlight was a visit to a local community center in Armenia where young people used creative tools to build bridges between different cultures. Through theatre, visual art, and storytelling, the center created a welcoming environment for youth affected by past conflict. It was inspiring to see how young volunteers used simple activities to bring joy, healing, and connection. The Italian participant realized that this model could be used back home, not only for youth affected by conflict but also for those struggling with everyday isolation, frustration, or discrimination.
Workshops on mediation and negotiation gave the youth worker more practical tools. They learned how to handle difficult conversations, stay neutral in conflicts, and support others in solving disagreements peacefully. These skills felt especially useful for working in mixed groups of local and migrant youth, where misunderstanding or frustration can easily lead to arguments or division. The training showed that conflict is not always negative—it can also be a chance for learning, growth, and change if handled with care and respect.
Returning to Italy, the youth worker was full of ideas and motivation. With the support of Terra Dulcis, they started a new local initiative called “Voices of Peace.” The goal was to create regular youth-led dialogue circles in the community, where participants could speak about their identity, their challenges, and their hopes for the future. The program welcomed youth from different backgrounds—Italian-born, migrant, and Roma—and used storytelling and listening circles as the main methods. Meetings were held in community centers, libraries, and even outdoor spaces, making the atmosphere informal and inclusive.
Each session had a topic such as trust, home, or belonging. Youth took turns sharing their stories while others listened. Facilitators trained during the Erasmus+ project helped guide the discussions and make sure everyone felt safe. Over time, the sessions became more than just conversations. They became places where new friendships formed, where difficult feelings could be shared, and where misunderstandings turned into understanding.
The impact of “Voices of Peace” grew quickly. Many participants said it was their first time feeling that their voice truly mattered. A girl from a refugee family said the sessions helped her feel more confident at school. A local teenager who had been involved in small fights learned how to talk through problems instead of using anger. Teachers noticed better teamwork among students who attended the sessions. Parents appreciated that their children were part of something positive and meaningful. Youth workers from other towns reached out to learn how to start similar groups in their own communities.
Beyond the youth, the project also touched the wider community. Local authorities invited Terra Dulcis to present “Voices of Peace” at a civic forum about education and inclusion. This gave the youth worker a chance to show that peacebuilding is not just about solving big world problems—it starts with everyday actions, with youth having conversations, listening to each other, and learning to respect differences. This message inspired some schools to ask for collaboration on training teachers in dialogue methods, creating more inclusive classrooms.
Terra Dulcis now plans to grow the project. A training session for new facilitators is already in the works, based on the knowledge from the Erasmus+ experience. The youth worker also wants to connect “Voices of Peace” with similar initiatives in other countries, possibly starting online dialogue circles between youth in Italy, Armenia, and other European regions. The dream is to build a network of young peacebuilders who speak different languages but share the same goal—to listen, understand, and work together for a better future.
The journey from Italy to Armenia and back again showed the deep value of youth mobility and international learning. The training did not just teach new skills—it opened hearts and minds. It showed that even in times of fear and division, young people have the strength to build bridges. Dialogue is more than talking. It is a way to connect, to heal, and to lead. Youth work is more than a job. It is a mission to support the next generation in becoming changemakers.
The long-term vision of Terra Dulcis and the youth worker is to help build a society where every young person feels heard, safe, and included. A place where conflict becomes an opportunity for growth, not fear. A place where cultural differences are celebrated, not judged. And a place where peace is not just a dream, but a shared responsibility.
By using what they learned in Yerevan, the youth worker from Italy became part of something bigger than one training or one project. They became part of a movement. A movement of youth workers across Europe who believe in the power of words, in the strength of young voices, and in the beauty of peaceful action. This is the future they are working toward—one circle, one story, and one dialogue at a time.